The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-11-19
Current Events.

Trafalgar Square, London, was the scene
of monster riot on Sunday last. During
the summer there have been mutterings o
discomfort among the London people, &C
casioned by the scarcity of work, poverty
and the inevitable misfortunes arising from
the effort TO support so many millions OF
human beings In SO small space AS that OF
London. The uncertainty of political at
fairs, home rule agitation, the apprehension
of strikes and of war on the Continent, the
general dissatisfaction of the people with
the failure of Parliament to give their in
dustrial interests any genuine relief, and
the widespread development of social
IDEAS" eliminated IN a state of public
opinion which found expression In the out.
break of Sunday. The meeting was an
nounced during the week, but as the
Square had never been dedicated to public
use of that kind, the chief of police forbid
the meeting In that place, there being
many other squares which could be used
Nevertheless, the meeting was held. The
Square Is In the very heart of the city. The
parliament house Is but short distance
away; the charing Cross terminal and
Scotland yards are but across the Strand
which bounds one side of the Square.
Pail Mall approaches from one direction,
while from the other Fleet street disap-
pears into the Strand and thence to the
Square. On Sunday the mob of socialists,
radicals, and the unemployed, to the mum,
Der of 10000 poured out of Fleet street
into the Strand through which they moved
toward the Square where were A 600 police
guarding Its approaches, and encircling the
large basin, wherein are fountains, statues
the Nelson Monument, and a great stone
paved area. Imagine" says the Heraid
correspondent, "that nearly every man In
the procession is provided with stout
stick or cane, and that all are pressing
around the Square with the intention of
forming into meetings, while the police,
mounted or afoOt, are trying to prevent
such formation, and the obstruction Of
the immense traffic converging there even
on sunday, from the Haymarket, the
Embankment, Northumberland avenue,
Parliament street and the Strand. Then
fancy collisions and stubborn flights, with
charges of the mounted police riding down
the crowd, and alec the advance of the
police on foot, mercilessly aiming blows
on every head and shoulder. Imagine the
sudden appearance from the barracks of
the Horse Guards hard by OF squadrons Of
brass helmeted dragons intent on riding
down and dispensing the wedged populace
The reader will then obtain u general idea
of the scenes which occurred in London
scenes of riot, bodily injuries and panic,
with re forming of the people, who en-.
aeavOred to maintain their ground, but
were chased hither and thither by the
police or soldiery." The scene of Sunday
had not been equaled since 1866, when the
people, asserting the right of public meet.
ing, destroyed the railing around Hyde
Park About 200 citizens and 40 policemen
were injured Seventy. five men were
arrested, most of whom escaped with
tiHe, but some were sentenced to four and
six months imprisonment. The rioters
insist that on Sunday next another meeting
will be held at the ST me place.
1t Is now definitely announced that the
disease from which the Crown Prince of
Germany Is suffering is cancer of the
throat and that while he may live for some
time yet mot long, his career is practically
closed. His son, Frederick William, Is
said TO be French hater, that he drinks
only German wines and Is the leader of the
war party This would be an ominous
prospect were 1t not for the fact that no
matter who Is on the throne, German
policy will depend, 80 far as war and
and peace are concerned, on the determin-
ations of ministers and international rela-
tons purely.